Review: The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

Author: Katherine Allred
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Number of Pages: 314

Here's the synopsis:

"Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.
Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal."

The Sweet Gum Tree was a really good book! I read it in one night. I only stopped to eat. I had seen a lot of people reading it and giving in 5 star reviews but honestly, I don't think that it deserved 5 stars. Don't get me wrong I really did like the book but it disappointed me at times. 

Nick was an totally amazing guy. Totally boyfriend worthy the problem is Lindsey. If I were Alix I would have hated Lindsey too. I felt for Nick at the beginning of the book and found him hilarious how he knew a bunch of stuff while Alix was so naive.

Alix was an amazing character who reminded me of Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird. She was outgoing, friendly, and had a fierce passion for reading. It all matched the character of Scout. Scout is one of my favorite characters in literature.

The reason I didn't give this book a 5 is because I was totally mad at how Alix had responded when she figured out that Nick had taken the blame for shooting his father when Lindsey had actually shot him. Personally, I would have been happy and proud that the man I loved was so compassionate and wouldn't let an innocent go to jail. Otherwise this book was definitely 5 worthy.

I loved how Nick had taken in Daniel as his own son when Daniel was actually his brother.

I really think that this book could be a big hit if it weren't for the old fashioned cover. If the publishers and author made the cover more modern this book could and would be a bestseller.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!!